Nora sat leaning over the koi pond as ran her hand ran in the cool water occasionally lightly touching the Koi as they swam by, them being a little speck of light in her midst of sorrow. She was brought out her thoughts when the koi lightly suckle on her fingers making her giggle softly. She looked over seeing Okuni walk out with her red umbrella with the moon crest around it, her face was extremely sad as she looked around the garden, Okuni then sat on the stone bench humming a tune to herself not seeing Nora looking across.
"Hello..." she said softly to her causing the black haired beauty to turn towards her.
"Konnichiwa..." Okuni whispered.
"Konnichiwa..." Nora said softly, she not only could see the same dark cloud of sorrow and in Okuni's beautiful brown eyes but she could feel it radiating it if her aura as well.
Okuni went over to Nora and sat down next to her in front of the pound.
"I see we were both taken by demons last night..." the blonde told the asian girl sympathetically with sad eyes.
"I heard you up top" Okuni spoke.
Nora's face turned red lightly at this making her remembering the pleasure, moaning like she was a whore, she felt disgusted with herself.
"You had your share with the demon king I had my share with a monster" she whispered holding her tears in.
Nora looked at her with soft sad eyes" I'm so sorry...I'm also sorry about your friend" she said as she felt tears run down her eyes.
"Kagura and I knew we had to survive to impress the Demon Lord, but we said we would be friends til the end no matter who wins, and that monster in the black armor sliced her head off like a stuck pig" Okuni closed her mouth in disgust.
"That Demonic Pig! Beat me slapped me pulled my hair, calling me the worst things an animal like him would say, I didn't want to live when he... released on my stomach" Okuni sounded angry.
Nora looked horrified as the other girl told her story her eyes slowly fell to the ground "Nobunaga-sama killed my grandmother...he told what he did after he had his way with me..." Nora told her quietly.
"Gomenasai about your grandmother. I still can't get that one word out of my head, he called me Oichi?" Okuni twirled her umbrella for a bit of shade "We were both played with by men, I hope to get a chance to kill that Pig and the Demon King Oda Nobunaga" she glowered.
"Oichi was a woman who he wanted to marry apparently...but she chose someone else...and frankly I'm not surprised..." Nora explained to her.
"Do you know she's the sister of Oda Nobunaga and the youngest?" Okuni asked Nora.
Nora looked at her surprised at this "No..I didn't" she shook her head lightly.
"Have you met her?..."Nora asked curiously.
"I attended her wedding at Lord Nagamasa's castle it was a glorious day, I think the Demon Lord only genuinely smiled seeing his sister happy" Okuni wondered.
"So he loves her...what's Oichi like?...." she asked becoming interested.
"Lady Oichi is the opposite of her brother she's the blossom to every man's eye, she's excellent in her resolve" Okuni smiled.
"Lady Oichi loves her husband more than life itself she has two daughters that are 4 year's old" Okuni chuckled.
Nora smiled a little at this "My brother is 2 years older them " she said warmly.
"I bet they'll get along well, Lady Oichi is coming today to have dinner with her brother to catch up" Okuni closed her umbrella.
Nora shook her head at this"Nobunaga-sama would never allow it...he said he would kill him if he ever saw him anywhere that was not his workstation.." she said softly as she felt tears run down her eyes" I don't know how someone could hurt a child..." she said grimly.
"True Samurai would never hurt a child, those that do are bandits! Cowards!" she spat "Ask permission when you ask Lady Oichi, Her brother hardly will say no to her" she explained.
"What do you know of her husband Daimyo Nagamasa Azai?" Okuni asked.
"Not much...I never took in rumors in my village about the war...I never liked the talk of bloodshed..." she said emotionless.
"I don't like talking of Blood neither..but it seems to be the few topics that are discussed, where are you from?" She asked.
"From a small village about couple hours away from here...it's mostly known for farming...use to live there with my mother, stepfather, step-grandmother and brother.."
She nodded in understanding "I'm..from Izumo than I traveled to stay in Edo than Here..the Honnoji palace" Okuni answered.
She became interested when she mention Edo" I heard Edo is beautiful...I always wanted to see it" she said with a smile.
The 2 young women spent the rest of the time chatting with each other even as they walked down the property of the palace not really noticing a pretty petite woman watching them as she walked with 2 small children holding her hands. She had no problem catching sight of them due how much The blonde woman stood out.
"Konnichiwa, how're you Nora-chan?" She chuckled.
Nora and Okuni turn their heads to see the petite woman. Okuni looked at her surprised "Oichi-sama" she bowed her head. Nora looked at Okuni and then Oichi surprised, She wasn't surprised that Katsuie wanted her so badly do how beautiful she was.
" Oichi-sama" she said softly as she bowed slowly.
Nora's eyes trailed to Oichi's 2 small children who stared at her with there big bright eyes with wonder but Nora wasn't surprised due the might never have seen a foreigner before especially one with blonde hair, Nora smiled gently to them in response, they were very cute.
"My my..a rare foreigner in our lands I've heard tales of the striking beauty they have" Oichi smiled sweetly.
Nora blushed slightly at this"Thank you Oichi-same you beautiful as well...usually Japanese don't like foreigners...they usually look at me with disdain..."
"We usually don't trust them because they bring war, death, and disease" Oichi spoke opening her umbrella "You are my brother's concubine?" She asked eyeing Nora carefully.
Nora flinched a little when she said this but then nodded weakly"Yes..." she said quietly while avoiding eye contact.
Nora then felt a light tug on her kimono causing her to look down to see one of Oichi's daughters looking up at her curiously "Onee-chan can I touch your hair" she asked cutely. Nora smiled warmly at her and lower herself to the ground to the little girl's level"Of course you can" she told her kindly.
The little girl smiled brightly and then began run her tiny hand through her golden silky locks making her sister want to touch her hair as well"You both are so Kawaii..." she laughed warmly"My little brother Naoki is a little bit older than you two" her eyes sadden a little bit when she thought about him.
"I hope you'll come to dinner soon I like to get to know my possible sister in law, though I'm concerned that my brother has picked someone very young" she said with concern.
Nora looked at Oichi at this"Well I'm 19 is that considered young?" she asked innocently.
"Very" Oichi spoke "My brother is 32....I'm 27" Oichi revealed her age.
Nora was taken back this information about both there ages she thought Oichi would be a couple years older than her due to how small and petite she was"27! You look so young" she said phrasing her.
Nora then turned her head to look at Okuni who encouraged her to ask the Demon Lord's sister, she took a deep nervous breath before bringing back her gaze to Oichi "Oichi-sama...I k-know I just met you a-and you don't know much about me but..." she tried to choke up" but could convince your...brother to let me see my little brother Naoki...h-he won't let me....he's only 6 years old..a-and I'm the only family he has left..." she said as she felt's tears run down her eyes as she bowed her head "P-please..." she pleaded quietly.
Oichi closed her eyes for a second before considering her choice "I'll see what I can do.. but I think Hideyoshi will be punished for this" she sighed before turning away walking back to the palace entrance.
Nora let out a squeak of surprise feeling a hand on her shoulder to reveal Hideyoshi normal smiling at her "I see you met Lady Oichi" he hooted.
She looked up at Hideyoshi and then watched the Demon Lord sister walk away with her 2 daughters "Yes...she seems kind..." she said softly as Hideyoshi helped her up.
Nora then began to wipe away her tears" How your day been Hideyoshi..." she asked with a weak smile.
"I've had a busy day training, cooking, praying, Talking with my Monkey friends, helping Naoki with cleaning, are you sure your alright Nora-chan?" He asked with concern.
" I'm fine...I'm just...my new life is going to take getting used too.," she said depressingly"And I miss Naoki..."
Okuni looked at her sadly at this.
Hideyoshi placed her chin up to look at him, "You'll get to see him I promise, though it'll take time to get used to this place soon it can become your home" he smiled his face almost close to hers.
Nora looked at him in surprise at how close his face was coming to her causing her to tremble in fear a little.
"Are you okay Nora-chan?" He asked with concern placing his hand on her cupping it gently "I hope I'm not doing anything wrong to upset you" he gave her sad eyes.
Okuni just stared at Hideyoshi bewildered by the action that he just tried to take with the young girl.
Nora closed her eyes as she shook her head" No you didn't...we can't do that...You know what he will do...and besides I'm dirty...." she said quietly.
"You were never dirty to me" he whispered"Nora I need to say this right now" he spoke with worry.
Nora open her eyes to look at him at this"What is it...?" she asked softly.
Before he uttered a word he let out a painful scream collapsing onto the ground clutching his ribs. Nora looked at with horror and deep concern as she went down to help him"Hideyoshi whats wrong!" she said in a panic.
Nora realized in horror what was the cause of this or more like who when she slowly turned around to see Oda "Nobunaga Forgive me!" He cried out hooting holding onto his tail for dear life.
Oichi was behind her brother sighing in sadness "I fear this would happen" she spoke.
Not being able to bare with her friend suffering Nora took a calm breath and placed her hand on his back and began taken in the aura of nature to help her making her hand glow brightly, Hideyoshi pain began to decrease and his breathing became more relaxed due to the feeling of calm overwhelming him.
"A-arigato" he coughed feeling air return to his lungs.
"I'm sorry that this is all can do for you my friend..." she told him sadly.
She then brought her sad gaze to Oda who was staring at her hard "Is this how you thank me Monkey, taking advantage of my concubine, Forcing children into the Palace, sneaking off into the gardens without my permission! Your very title is at thin ice Monkey" he seethed his eyes flashed blood red.
"My lord please he didn't do anything to me...he was just talking to me..." she pleaded to him "Please don't hurt him anymore..."
"Katsuie Shibata will take charge of you, I'll have Ranmaru Mori escort Nora to her Chambers, no food and water for the remainder of the day till you finish your training with Shibata" he snapped his fingers alerting the Demon to his presence.
Ranmaru jumped successfully off the palace roof running towards his master halting bowing low "What is it you will ask of me my Lord" Ranmaru spoke.
"You called my Lord?" Katsuie spoke gruffly.
"Mori takes Nora to her Chambers and helps her get ready for dinner, Katsuie bring Hideyoshi to the training room" he commanded.
Nora glared slightly at the sight of Katsuie and went over to Ranmaru side preferring him over the psychopath.
He licked his lips at her in response.
She then felt a hand touch her shoulder making her head turn to see Ranmaru"Get moving" he growled escorting her to the palace.
Nora just lets him drag back to her room without any resistance. By the time they got there, the clothes were already laid out on the futon for her to wear for dinner"Wear it you don't want to dishonor our Lord" the effeminate glared shutting Nora's door leaving her to herself.
Nora flinched at this and the slowly began to undress and began to put on the new formal kimono chosen for her.
She felt a couple tears run down her eyes as did the finishing touches of putting the hairpins Jurogumo gave into her hair She heard a soft knock on the door to reveal Okuni "May I come in?" She asked.
Nora nodded as the blacked haired woman stepped into the room allowing Okuni to take in appearance to see was wearing something formal as well.
"How are you gonna survive this hell?" She asked with concern sitting down opening her makeup box.
Nora sat down in front of her and looked at her hands sadly "I don't know....but I know I have to keep Naoki safe...he's all I have left...so I have to keep letting he slowly destroy me... And...be a good whore..." she said softly as tears ran down her eyes.
She brought her gaze back up to look at Okuni"You look Beautiful Okuni..." she said softly.
"You look beautiful too Nora" Okuni spoke" I don't think you're a whore, I believe I am because..I had to do drastic things to get this position" Okuni spoke again adding eyeliner to Nora's eye.
Nora looked at her a little surprised and a little sad at this"Wheres your family Okuni? Don't you miss them?" she asked.
"I never had one, I was raised as a priestess at the temples of Lord Imagawa's clan, I was found by the priestesses to be raised in their hands. I spent most of my time at Izumo" she answered adding lipstick.
Nora expression turned grim when she thought about Okuni new fate with Katsuie "Okuni-chan I worry about you how are you going to survive to be Katsuie concubine?..." she asked with concern.
"He won't touch me again" Okuni stared hard at Nora "Oichi is here...I suspect they'll talk in private and I'll never be that bastard's concubine" she rose up.
"I hope she can too...honestly I don't want him near anymore either with the way been talking and been looking at me lately..." she said in disgust.
"Trust me... he's not forgiving in sex than Nobunaga" she spoke grimly.
"Nora if something happens, if it's bad to worst would you allow me to take you to Izumo?" She offered her hand.
Nora was taken back this but nodded" Yes I would be more than happy too...at least it meant that I could get Naoki somewhere safe" she said determinedly.
Okuni's look was grim "He's too young..but if you want him to come with me then it's alright" she grasped her hand, Nora looked down to see a tattoo bloom on her hand.
Okuni mentioned sex Nora turned bashful "Okuni...since I'm Nobunaga-sama concubine will that mean he will want me to have his children eventually..." Nora asked quietly while avoiding eye contact.
"Maybe....if he does want you to have children you raise them how you want...I won't be a concubine for long..I must go back to Izumo soon, I have important matters but I'll stay as long as I can when I return" she explained.
Nora was surprised and also little sad that she was leaving but was also a little happy she would come back.
"I do want children Okuni-chan...very much but..I'm afraid what kind of father Nobunaga-sama will be..." she said sadly.
After few more touches Okuni finished and then helped Nora up to lead her to where everyone was having dinner.
"Know how to melt his heart get to know him..Find a way to convince to keep his Humanity" she whispered sitting down next to Ranmaru.
Nora then turned to look at the demon lord himself as she slowly made her way over there certain number of people that were new then last night so they stared at the foreign beauty that they finally got to see, Nora sat down next to Oda while his sister sat on the opposite side with her daughters and husband.
"Onee-chan you look pretty" a soft cute voice said to her snapping her out her thoughts to see it was one of Oichi's daughters who had said it.
Nora smiled warmly to her"Thank you sweetheart...you are too..." she told her softly"Both you..." she said as she looked at both of the twins.
Katsuie secretly glared at Nagamasa who kissed Oichi on the cheek tenderly.
"I don't believe we met I'm Lord Nagamasa Azai" the man bowed his head slightly Nora got to look at his features and what he wore.
"Hello my lord...I'm Sakamura Nora " she bowed her head politely.
"A pleasure Nora-chan me and my wife needed to rest a bit before I we head to war" he sipped his green tea.
Nora nodded in understanding, the blonde admitted that Azai was very handsome, he dressed in blue and had very light brown with the soft brown eyes, his shoulder-length hair was draped on his shoulder's he was well muscled as Nobunaga.
"How long have you and Oichi-sama been married?" Nora asked.
"7 years" Azai chuckled.
"Nora-chan when will you marry my brother? I know you have been here for almost a day, but is there a chance you will" Oichi bit into her piece if pork.
"And then you can have babies we can play with!" one the twins said excitedly poking her head over her sisters head this just made Nora pale skin turn bright red.
"Y-you would have to ask him Oichi-sama" she stuttered as she drank some tea and looking away from everyone.
Nora looked at Oichi with wide eyes and then turned back to Oda at this aking him laugh heartily"My brother knows what he wants I'm talking about what do you want" she pointed out sipping her tea."
Nora that let play into her thoughts, becoming the wife of Oda, the Demon Lord and then she remembered Okuni words of how she believed Nora could soften Oda heart"Yes...I'm willing to become that..." she said softly as she looked Oichi. If there was a way to tame the Demon lord bloodthirsty ways and save innocents then she was more then willing to try it. She saw a small hint of proof of his gentle side when he made sure she wouldn't be in so much pain when he took her virginity.
"Brother" Lord Azai spoke finishing his meal "What did you have a plan for Lord Imagawa and his retainer Ieyasu Tokugawa?" Azai asked getting straight into the politics.
Nora started to zone out as she silently ate her food, Once she was finished she felt a hand gently touch her arm as she turned to see Oichi who was staring at her with soft eyes.
"Did you hear me Nora-chan" Azai spoke staring at the woman hard.
Looked at him in shock and then guilt fell upon her face" No I'm sorry...I've had a...on my mind lately..." she said quietly.
Azai sighed pinching his brows "Brother I hope you had her study war efforts because you said she'll help infiltrate Imagawa's camp" he explained.
"And I did brother. We'll discuss this later" he spoke adding a smirk on his face.
Nora looked at Oda completely in shock at this knowing her probably told his brother in law about she could do "What is it exactly you want me to do Nobunaga?" she asked him seriously as she frowns hard at him with the same fire she had when they first met.
"We're gonna kill Imagawa"
She looked at completely appalled "You're leading another massacre aren't you...and you want me to the one you killers..." she raised her voice a little as she glared at him.
Nora anger was building up so much that wind started to pick up and surround her.
"I want you to let Yoshimoto's guard down for me to strike, Ieyasu though.. he can live or die doesn't matter" Nobunaga chuckled.
"Yoshimoto found out a way to use the demon power I have, I need him out of the way to expand my Empire" Nobunaga smirked how tensed Nora was becoming.
She gripped her hand tightly but controlled her power due to not wanting to hurt anyone but it didn't stop her eyes glowing a bright green"You fail to realize my lord that a Daiymo is nothing without his people or his followers...starting a new age is one thing but committing mass genocide is another..." she took a deep breath" I will help you my Lord on the condition that you don't go on a killing spree on the citizens like did in my village...they have no control or say in what their lord does..." she told as she stared at him hard.
"Who said anything about civilian's" he smirked "It's Imagawa I'm after."
Nora was a little surprised this but quickly returned her hard stare "So then my lord how to do you exactly want me to distract Yoshimoto" she asked him seriously.
"Talk to him, have lunch, flirt with him I don't care as long as you get him to let his guard down" Nobunaga rolled his eyes.
She huffed deeply at this but she was a little"All right..." she said in acceptance "I'm surprised you want me to that though since you get furious when men touch me..."
She then felt him grab her chin firmly to make her look him in the eyes"Watch your tongue" he spoke seriously his eyes flashed red.
"Remember Nora..be wary of Ieyasu Tokugawa he's incredibly smart he is Imagawa's retainer" Azai stared hard.
"Yes...but he hasn't met me..." she said determinedly to Azai, her eyes glowed at bright green into Oda red ones.
Oda then kissed her catching her off guard so much it made the glow in her eyes disappear when he pulled away he had a smirk on his face.
"Get some rest I'll be with you soon" The demon lord Chuckled disappearing into a vast of locusts.
Nora just watched him disappear and did as he said and went back to her room but was halted by a certain someone when she was halfway there Katsuie Shibata elbowed her against the paper wall "One way or the other I will have my way with you" he chuckled.
Nora glared hard at him"I bite off my own tongue before I would you do that..." she spat him.
"I prefer you let go of me now you animal..." she said deathly serious.
"Your lord isn't here so that means you'll be in my arms for now" he licked his sharp teeth and then licked her cheek Nora flinched in disgust as she struggled against his grip.
"The only thing you know is to kill I doubt you know to pleasure a woman!" she spat him.
He laughed demonically grabbing her breast squeezing it and twisting the nipple inside the cloth "Let's see if you'll enjoy a good rut squealing like a mewling Geisha" he grinned manically Nora let a gasp at this while tears of fear fell from her eyes.
He flinched feeling a blade to his neck to reveal Okuni in a white tunic and red hamma bottoms with sandals "Stray your perverted tongue pig!" She growled but slowly smiled "Or would you like me to take you to Izumo?"
Nora smiled in relief to Okuni was her savior.
"You Bitch Your!! Aahh!?" She grabbed onto his head as a flash of white light pulsed, his eyes rolled at the back of his head as he collapsed onto the floor, Okuni sheathed her sword "I wiped his memory of this incident. I know you might think it's crazy but the Pig has a role to play in the future" Okuni explained.
"He'll be alright, he'll remember being drunk on Saki" Okuni bent down again flashing a white light inside his head "We'll never discuss this again" she waddled her finger.
If though she has only known her for a short while the blonde trusted the black haired greatly "I understand...thank you for helping me" she said softly as bowed to her.
Okuni smiled and bowed her head "It's not your time to go to Izumo you still have a part to shift in this story" she explained.
"Hideyoshi..is waiting for you in the gardens. I go there quick" Okuni answered opening her umbrella heading towards her room to the far right.
Nora only nodded and left to go meet her friend. Hideyoshi was sitting alone playing his banjo hooting the monkeys hanging in the trees
When he saw Nora come into the gardens looking around for him
His tail coiled tight with the branch as he sang tunes for his little friends to listen.
"Okuni gave you the message?" He asked playing with the 2 strings.
Nora nodded " We need to do this fast...Nobunaga-sama is going to meet me in my chambers in a little bit" she told plainly.
"I know you will be visiting my old Lord Yoshimoto Imagawa" Hideyoshi grabbed onto the branch releasing his tail to drop on the floor successfully.
Nora was bewildered by this information" Old Lord" she said as she watched him stand up straight again.
"I was a soldier under his rule he's a good man.. except he's more into playing keto and chess, he enjoys playing games, play one with him and you'll get to understand the man, I can't believe he would stoop this low to become a devil like Oda Nobunaga" Hideyoshi pondered.
"Ieyasu Tokugawa doesn't know who he is yet but, don't get in his way the man is clever than he let's on he'll have you spill your secrets faster before you can close them" Hideyoshi explained scratchy his ear.
Nora took this information deep into thought" Nobunaga-same wants me to gilt and spend time with time to distract him...how does he feel about Foreigners...how does he behave with women usually?" she asked seriously.
"Imagawa respects women and he particularly doesn't mind foreigner's if they attack first, strike a conversation while playing a game but be careful" Hideyoshi assured Nora.
Nora nodded at this" I always am" she told him simply "Thank you my friend she said with a smile then headed back to her chambers.
"Nora there is...one thing you could do, ask Ieyasu of my mother...I have a feeling he knew of the clan she likes lived in" Hideyoshi hooted.
"I will" she promised him before she disappeared back into the palace.
--------
She opened the sliding door to reveal Nobunaga in his white Fundoshi "Care to sleep with me?" he asked.
Nora nodded meekly as she went over to the other side of the room and began to take off the heavy outer part if her kimono until she only in the white undergarment of it and untied her hair to let flow free, She then slowly made her way over to him.
He embraced her and kissed her forehead before wrapping his arms tight as he breathed slowly resting his eyes, she found the embrace comforting as she snuggled close to him, tear of conflicting emotions fell down her eye as he held her, Nora could feel him run his fingers through her long hair.
"Wo Ai Ni" he spoke before sleep took him as he rested against her face.
Nora looked at him bewildered at this, she thought her ears were playing tricks on her but she could have sworn he had said he loved her. Nora sat up from the futon a bit and stared at Oda with soft eyes, she couldn't deny the fearsome Demon Lord looked quite peaceful when he slept, she gently stroked his head as she laid back onto the futon and snuggled back into his chest.
--------
Okuni was outside the palace gardens singing softly as white orbs floated on her fingertips enjoying her singing,
"Hello little one. I'm so sorry your life was cut short" she spoke sadly as the sphere danced around her fingertips.
The other floated lightly in the air feeling comfortable in her palm "You were gonna have your first child my sorrow for you" she cooed the ball of light.
"Will you like to go to Izumo with me dearly departed souls?" She asked all of the sous hummed in agreement at this.
She nodded in understanding "May you find peace in the city of the dead" she chuckled lifting the souls high above helping them fly to find peace.
As Okuni watched them disappear she could see out of the corner of her eye that someone else was in the gardens.
"Hello Akechi-sama" she said as she turned her head to him.
"You need to be careful Okuni Using Magic on Katsuie is unwise, I didn't send you here to get suicidal, were supposed to find a way to kill Nobunaga" he explained.
She glared him at this"So I was supposed to let Nora-chan be raped by the animal! That girl could be our only hope" she spat him.
"I'm just saying we can't get Nobunaga suspicious."
"You have something planned for Nora-chan don't you?..." she asked him seriously as she got up to walk over to him.
"I won't harm her.. I'll become her teacher, help her study train in sword fights, I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe from his Oni influence, you know the Oni are spreading" Mitsuhude explained "I don't want her to become...like my daughter...Gracia" he whispered clenching his fist.
Okuni looked at him solemnly at this
"Nora spirit shines brightly...so much that even the darkness might have trouble corrupting her...but don't doubt she won't have scars..."
"That girl has great power Akechi-sama... No doubt you saw during dinner" she told him plainly.
How could Mitsuhude forget the stunt the blonde pulled at dinner, everyone was surprised the young beautiful foreigner was able to do something like that.
"You will have to be careful how you react around her Akechi-sama...Oda is very possessive of Nora-chan he punished Hideyoshi greatly just for touching her..." she warned him.
"I know.. I'm not attracted to her one wife is enough for me, I'll be her teacher I'll aid her in any way I can."
"I'm going to sleep now good night Akechi-sama..." she said as she bowed to him before leaving the gardens.
"Goodnight Okuni-chan" he bowed slightly.